Auxiliary step for car-platforms.



J. R. KUNZELMAN. AUXILIARY STEP FOR UAR PLATFORMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1914.

1 ,1 33,043. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS coy. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHING TON. D, 4

J. R. KUNZELMAN:

' AUXILIARY STEP FOR CAR'PLATFORMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1914.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

---. fniieni or @7292 7?. ifzm Zman r293/ .Zzs lzorxzeys J. R.KUNZELMAN.

AUXILIARY STEP FOR G R PLATFORMS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1914.

1,1 33,043; Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. FHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. L.

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JOHN R. KUNZELMAN, or DULUTH, MINNESOTA;

AUXILIARY STEP FOR CAR-PLATFORMS.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 29,1914. Serial No. 847,328.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN R. KUNZELMAN,citizen of the United States, residing at Duluth, in the county of St.Louisand State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Auxiliary Steps for Car-Platforms; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to improvements in auxiliary steps for carplatforms; and, to this end, it consists of the novel devices andcombinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, likecharacters indicate like parts throughout the several views. 7

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view, principally in elevation,of a car body and vestibule, having applied thereto in working positionthe improved auxiliary step, some parts being sectioned and some partsbeing broken away, the door of said vestibule being mounted to swinginward; Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing thevestibule door closed and the auxiliary step in a folded position; Fig.3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal verticalsection, taken on the line m 00 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is a horizontalsection, taken on the line :0 m of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a horizontalsection,taken on the line 00 of Fig. 2; Figs. 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, with the exception that thedoor of the vestibule is mounted to swing outward instead of inward andthe means for raising and lowering the auxiliary step being modifiedaccordingly; Fig. 8 is a modification of the construction shown in Figs.1 to 7, inclusive; and Figs. 9 and 10 are modifications of the linkconnection between the vestibule door and the mechanism for raising andlowering the auxiliary step. 7

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, oftheparts of the car illustrated, it is only necessary to note the body1, vestibule 2, main steps 3, secured between side walls 4, and leadingto the vestibule platform 5, and a door 6, hinged to the vestibule 2 foroutward horizontal swinging movement. For the purpose of this case it isnot thought necessary to illus- Patented Mar. 23, 1915. i

trate the customary trap door provided for covering the steps 3 to forman extension of the platform owhen the vestibule door 6 is closed. As iswell known, the lower car step is usually located so high above the roadbed that it is practically impossible to step upon the samewithout theuse of a stool, unlessan elevated platform is provided at the stations.To take the place of these removable stepping stools, I provide animproved auxiliary step mounted for simultaneous recedingand loweringmovements from an inoperative position to'an operative position, andv v1ce versa. The improved auxiliary step comprises a tread 7, havingvertically extended end and back flanges 8 and 9, respectively, and ariser 10 in the form of a pair of parallel supporting links. The upperends of these links 10 are pivotally secured at 11 to the side walls 4,and the lower ends thereof are pivotally secured to the end flanges 8 ina position to be engaged by the flange 9, whlch affords a stop to limitthe unfolding movement of the tread 7. An upwardly buckling toggle lever12 is provided for moving the auxiliary step to and from operativepositions and to hold the same locked in an operative position. The freeend of the lower arm of the lever 12 is journaled in a bearing 13,secured to the under side of the tread 7, and is provided, inward of thesaid bearing, with a rearwardly and downwardly turned extensionl. Thisextenslon 14: is arranged to engage the tread 7 duringthe foldingmovement thereof, under the buoklingaction of the lever 12, andpositively fold said tread with respect to the riser 10. Said extensionalso assists in supportingv the tread 7 when in a folded or inoperativeposition, as shown in Fig. 2. The free end of the upper arm of the lever12'is rigidly secured to a rock shaft 15, journaled in the side walls4:. A sear spring 16, mounted on the rock shaft 15, tends to straightenthe toggle lever 12. One end of this spring is anchored to said sidewall and the other end 'thereoffbears on the said lever.v The mediateportion ofthe upper arm of said lever, and the other arm thereof isconnected to the door 6 by a link 19. The pivot of the bell crank 17 isjournaled in the inner side wall 4 so the arms of said bell'g crank workon opposite sides of said wall. The arrangement of this bell crank 17 issuch that when the door 6 is open the lever 12 is straight and the tread7 is in an operative position, and when said door is closed the lever 12is buckled and the tread 7 folded into an inoperative position. To lookthe toggle lever 12 in a buckled position, as shown in Fig. 2, and thetread 7 in an inoperative position, there is provided a horizontallyextended hook 20 having a vertically projecting spirally-threaded shank21, which has threaded engagement with a bearing 22, bolted to the innerside wall l. Obviously, by moving the shank 21 endwise through thebearing 22, rotary motion is imparted thereto for carrying the hook 20into and out of engagement with the upper arm of the lever 12, and thesame is buckled. This endwise movement of the shank 21 is imparted by anintermediately pivoted lever 23, secured to the inner side wall of thevestibule 2, and having its short end connected to the upper end of saidshank by a link 24. The upper end of the link 24 is pivotally secured tothe lever 23, and the lower end thereof is swiveled at 25 to the shank21, as best shown in Fig. 3. A notched segment 26, secured to the innerwall of the vestibule 2, for cooperation with the lever 23, holds saidlever in different set positions, as best shown in Fig. 3. The long endof the lever 23 is constructed with a slight spring action which holdsthe same interlocked with the segment 26.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is'identical with that shown inFigs. 1 to 5, inclusive, with the exception that the door 6 is mountedto swing outward instead of inward and the position of the bell crank 17is reversed in order that the proper movements may be imparted to thelever 12 during the opening and closing movements of the door 6. p

In the construction shown in Fig. 8, the lever 12 is buckled andstraightened by a hand lever 27, having a crank arm 28, connected to theintermediate portion of the upper arm of the toggle lever 12 by a link29. The pivot 30 for the hand lever 27 is journaled in the inner sidewall 4c and has rigidly secured thereto the arm 28. A notched segment31, secured to the inner wall of the vestibule 2, is provided forholding the lever 27 in difierent set positions. Like the lever 23, thelever 27 is moved into and out of engagement with the segment 31 under aspring action. The construction shown in this figure is especiallyintended for use on cars not having vestibule doors.

To permit the vestibule door 6 to be opened and closed at stationshaving elevated platforms, which do not require the use of the auxiliarystep, various means may be provided for rendering the connection betweenthe toggle lever 12 and the vestibule door 6 inoperative. In Figs. 9 and10, is shown an intermediately ointed link 32, which may be substitutedfor the link 19. is a sleeve 33, held in different positions on saidlink by a spring latch 34L, adapted to enter either one of two notches35 cut, one in each of the arms of the link 32. lVhen the sleeve 33 istelescoped over the joint of the link 32, as shown in Fig. 9, thesections of said link are held rigid and will operate the same as thelink 19, but when said sleeve is moved into a position, as shown in Fig.10, the link 32 will fold during the opening movement of the door 6,thereby rendering the tread-actuating means inoperative.

While in the drawings only one toggle lever 12 is shown, in actualpractice, there will. be two of these levers secured one to each end ofthe tread 7 and to the rock shaft 15.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a car, having a horizontallyswinging door, of an auxiliary step, movably mounted on said car,connections between said step and door for moving said step to and fromoperative positions under the swinging movement of said door, and meansfor rendering said step operating connections inoperative, at will,whereby said door may be opened and closed without operating said step.

2. The combination with a car, having a horizontally swinging door, ofan auxiliary step movably mounted on said car, connections between saidstep and door for moving said step to and from operative positions underthe swinging movement of said door, means for locking said step in aninoperative position, and means for rendering said step-operatingconnections inoperative, at will, whereby said door may be opened andclosed without operating said step.

3. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connectedone to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding action, atoggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, aconnection for buckling said lever to move said tread into aninoperative position, and a lock engageable with said lever for holdingthe same buckled.

4. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connectedone to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding action, atoggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, aconnection for buckling said lever to move said tread into aninoperative position, and a lock actuated by a spiral thread for holdingsaid lever buckled.

5. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connectedone to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding Slidablymounted on this link 32 action, a toggle lever for moving said tread toand from operative positions, a connection for buckling said lever tomove said tread into an inoperative position, a lock en gageable withsaid lever for holding the same buckled, and a spring tending tostraighten said lever.

6. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser pivotally connected,one to the other and to said car, for toggle-like folding action, atoggle lever having one of its'arms pivotally secured to said car andhaving its other arm pivotally secured to said tread, and a connectionfor buckling said lever to move said tread into an inoperative position,said lever having an extension, operative, during the buckling movementof said lever, to positively fold said tread.

7. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotallyconnected, one to the other and to said car, for toggle-like foldingaction, a toggle lever having one of its arms pivotally secured to saidcar and having its other arm pivotally secured to said tread, and aconnection for buckling said lever to move said tread into aninoperative position, said lever having an extension, operative,

during the buckling movement of said lever,

to positively fold said tread and to assist in holding said tread foldedin an inoperative position.

8. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of atread and,

riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car fortcggle-like folding action, a toggle lever for moving said tread to andfrom operative positions, and connections between said toggle lever anddoor, actuated by the closing movement of said door to buckle said leverand move said tread into an inoperative position.

9. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of atread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said carfor toggle-like folding action, a toggle lever for moving said tread toand from operative positions, connections between said toggle lever anddoor, actuated by the closing movement of said door to buckle said leverand move said tread into an inopera- Copies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each,'by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington; D. 0.

and to said car for toggle-like folding action,

a toggle lever for moving saidtread to and from operative positions,connections be tween said toggle lever and door, actuated by the closlngmovement of said doorto buckle said lever and move said tread into aninoperative position, means for renderlng sald connectlons lnoperative,at wlll,

whereby said door may be opened and closed without operating said step,and a lock for holding said lever buckled.

11. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of atread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said carfor toggle-like folding ac tion, a toggle lever for moving said tread toand from operative positions, connections between said toggle lever anddoor, including a bell crank, actuated by the closing movement of saiddoor, to buckle said lever and move said tread into an inoperativeposition, and a spring tending to straighten said lever.

12. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of atread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other 7 ing a bellcrank, actuated by the closing movement of said door, to buckle saidlever and move said tread 1nto an inoperative position, and a springtending to straighten 1 1 said lever, said lever having an extension,operative during the bucklingmovement of said lever to positively foldsaid tread.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. KUNZELMAN.

Witnesses:

Gnonen S. MALESKI, J. L. MARTIN.

